The Madrid air suits him so well. Cristiano Ronaldo (37) finds, this Wednesday, February 23, Atlético de Madrid in the knockout stages of the Champions League. A club he loves. During his career, the Portuguese, winner of Euro 2016, scored 25 goals against the Colchoneros in 35 matches. It is the second club against which he has suffered the most behind Sevilla (27 goals in 18 matches). Facing him, Atlético de Madrid has failed five times in the Champions League.
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So, inevitably, this Wednesday evening, the people of Madrid are preparing for the worst and even if “CR7” is not in the shape of his life. “We know how Cristiano is, he has already hurt us a lot in other times when we have faced each other”recently confided Angel Correa to Brand. Back in videos on the five previous acts.
2014: a penalty and a record in the final
The great players know how to distinguish themselves but also to step aside. This was the case for the Portuguese in 2014, during the 2014 Champions League final. Real Madrid won 4-1. A score that we think is flattering and one-sided. And yet, Atlético de Madrid held their first Champions League until Sergio Ramos’ precise helmet shot at 90’+3, responding to Diego Godin’s opener (36′). A terrible blow for the Colchoneros, totally liquefied in overtime. Gareth Bale (110′), Marcelo (118′) then Cristiano Ronaldo from the penalty spot (120′), scoring his 17th goal in the exercise. Absolute record in the competition.
2015: a decisive pass at the end of the suspense
During the 2014-2015 season, Atlético de Madrid thought it would not suffer the wrath of the Portuguese. After a clean score in the first leg, the return match took the same turn until the 88th minute of play. After a nice one-two with James Rodriguez, “CR7” served Chicharito with a nice flat foot. The Mexican, in the best mood, had only to shoot Oblak. 1-0, final score.
2016: the decisive shot on goal for an eleventh crown
In a closed match, Real and Atlético had to decide on penalties. Sergio Ramos opened the scoring (15′) before Johan Carrasco answered him late in the game (79′). After a miss from Juanfran, Cristiano Ronaldo, in the position of fifth shooter, delivered the Merengues to offer the eleventh crown to the club, the first under the Zinedine Zidane era.
2017: an anthology hat-trick in the semi-finals
He is still in everyone’s memory. Barely a year after the Undecima, the two teams meet in the semi-finals. In the first leg, the case was quickly folded. The Portuguese scored a simple and clear hat-trick. First, with a well-felt header, followed by a powerful volley on a service from Karim Benzema and finally a flat foot on a center back. In the second leg, the Colchoneros won 2-1. Very insufficient after the demonstration of the first leg.
2019: a masterclass and a hat-trick for a comeback with Juve
Two years later, the Portuguese is doing it again. This time under the colors of Juventus Turin and in the round of 16 return. His team lost 2-0 in the first leg. What annoy the five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or. Two headed goals, a converted penalty, a huge influence on the game of the Bianconeri and the deal was over.
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